Vacuum cleaner head with handle controlled valve



Nov. 17, 1953 T, w, OTT 2,659,099

VACUUM CLEANER HEAD WITH HANDLE CONTROLLED VALVE Filed Au 21, 1947 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR Nov. 17, 1953 w, QTT 2,659,099

VACUUM CLEANER HEAD WITH HANDLE CONTROLLED VALVE Filed Aug. 21, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Nov. 17, 1953 'r. w. OTT 2,659,099

VACUUM CLEANER HEAD WITH HANDLE CONTROLLED VALVE Filed Aug. 21, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR- Patented Nov. 17, .1953

VACUUM GLEANER WITHHANDIIIE GON'TR'OLLED VAEVE Emma-W l in ton ats;- raulcMinn- ApplicatiomAugustjzl, 1947,"S eriaPNo; 769:835

:My :invention relates to an -improvement handle -controlled valv-e containing vacuum' cleaner headwhereinit is desired to provide a simple and effective head: suitable for all cleaning purposes. V

The object of the present inventiondsto provide a head'- for a vacuum cleaner which may provide :var-iations in the velocity of air -used for cleaning-purposes. -My -head is provided with two :slots :in the -undersurf ace thereof. -:-oneor these :slots is severabtimesthe -area'- of= the=other slot. Walve -means is #provided for =seleotively connecting either of the slots to- -thesource 0f supply-of partial:vacuum; As aresult the velocity I at which the -ai-r will travel .into the nozzle may be regulated.

-A feature of :the present invention lies inthe provision-- of a vacuum cleaner 'head' hav-ing an elongated base which is. preferably-slightly wider at its forward extremity than along itsrear-side A relatively narrow slot extends along the base of the nozzle adjacentthe forward-edge=thereof. This slot continues-partially along'the end-edges of the base. :A relatively larger "slot: is provided in the-base of thehead'nearthe rear edge'thereof, the ends of this {larger slot extending along the end-edgesof the base-toward the extremities of the: smaller slot. arresult-thertwo"slots extend virtually alongtheentireperipher-y of the hase.

A feature of the present invention lies an the provision o'f a vacuum'cleaner head including a valve for selectively connecting either -of a -plufralityof slots in the b ase with the source of supply of partial --vacuum. This =valveis controlled by movements-hf the handle so that imorder -to change -.position of "the valve it' is--only necessary to "properly manipulate the handle.

- An added feature ofthe present invention lies I in the provision of.--a vacuumcleaner head which isconnected :to a handle and which incorporates a=valve. "The handle is-vertically reciprocable relative to the head and-isnormally hiasegl 'upwardly; "13yexerting a" downward qjressureupon the handle,-the position of the val=ve--within the headmaybe changed.

added *featureof' t-he present invention lies in t-he provision of-a vacuum cleaner head incorporating -a valve and a 'valve ;chang i ng me'ehanism and in- -so designing this mechanism that the valve is moved to one extreme; position by one. actuation of the handle and movedinto-the other extreme position by a second actuation-of the han dle." a result -the "valve 'remfains in either: extreme position -unti1 ithe valve fmoving mechanism isactuated.

A f urther feature of thepresent invention lies in the-provision cha -vacuum cleaner -head having a pl-urality of channels :in.= the base= thereof :and in the provision of a valve 'for selectively iconnecting any of these- -oha-nnels with the-source of supply: of partialvacuum. The @valve is so designedthatavhilethe position 'oftheivalve is being changed, air-may-enter= the -vacuum=cleaner-head in'such a mannerasstmcleamthe valve-and valve seats. When the va'lve -is in position to -connect any of the base-channelsw'ith the-isource of supply of :partial "vacuum, this:auxiliarywonnection with-the *outeratmosphere is -olose'd.

- I hese -and:other obiects and novellfeaturesaof my in-vention:willihe more clearly and full=y=set 9 forth x the following specification and :claims. In thedrawings forming-a part of my specification: I

Figure 6 is :acview similar to Eigure showing thewalve in itsopposite extreme position.

Figure 7 is =a view:-si'milanto fiigure fi' showing the valvein slightly opened position.

Eigure 8 the direction of line 88 of Figure 2. I

;-"l ig-ure-=9 is- -ansenlarged detail view-of one end of the va-lve support-ing- =mem-berstaken the direction-o'f line 9 19, of Figure l -1.

Figiflefl o is a--seetional= view through oneend offthe headshowing the valve actuating amechamsm, the view= beingtaken ln thfldll'EBfiOI]: o'f l-ine til-4'0 G'f- Figure S. I

Figure"l1 is:a view similartO Figure l 0 showing v the valve-actuatingmechanism-in a--'second posi tion, 7 v r 'Fig ure I-2=-is a sectional view through *the-en'd of the head opposite -that shown' inyFigures -10; and the-view being takenyin the hirtiqn of --is :a -=sectional E-view transversely 1 through -'the'- -valveisupporting members staken in The vacuum-wleaner head Ais shaped enter- 7 top 33 and a rounded forward end 35. precise shape of the body portion 3| is not critical.

nally as best illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings. The head A includes an elongated base In which is somewhat wider at its forward along the ends of the base to a point spaced from but adjacent ends [4' of the slot i3. The slot I5 is several times the cross sectional area 4 downwardly. Thus by operation of the thumb nuts 23 the elevation of the tube may be regulated.

In Figures 3 and 4 it will be noted that the base of the body portion 26 is recessed at 39 so as to decrease the weight of the head. The recess 23 does not communicate with the air outlet of the head and is closed except at its lower edge. I

As illustrated in Figures 4 through 8 of the drawings the casing portion 3| is hollow so that air may be drawn therethrough. As illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings the interior of the casing portion 3| is divided into three separate ings.

A recess l9 is provided in the base it between the slots |3 and i6 and generally parallel thereto. A tubular member 263 is supported in the recess IS. The tubular membertiii is provided with angularly arranged slots 2i as best shown in Figure 13. A stud. 22 is mounted upon each end of the tubular member and, extends upwardly therefrom. Athumb nut 23 is provided on the upper extremity of the stud 22 and is provided with an integral sleeve 2d. The tubular member is adiustably supported by the thumb nut 23 as will be noticed from an observation of Figure 1 of the drawings.

The Vacuum cleaner head A includes an upwardly and inwardly tapering body 25 extending upwardly from the base iii. A generally rectangular rearwardly extending body portion 25 is integral with the body 25 and is centrally located with respect thereto. The tapering body 25 terminates along a horizontal plane 21 spaced above the flat undersuriace of the base l0, this flat plate of separation of the casing extending to a point spacedfrom the rear wall 29 of the rectangularly rearwardly extending portion 26. The rear end of the head portion 26 extends upwardly the full height of thehead alongacasing separation line 30.

Aswill be obvious from Figures '1 and 2 of the drawings, a second casing section 3| is mounted upon the lower body portion 25 to fit on the upper surface 2? thereof and to fit against the vertical plane of separation'iifi. The casing or body portion 3| is provided with rounded sides 32, a flat undersurface to rest flush against the upper surface of the body portionze and a fiat rear surface to fit against the casing portion 26 along the line of separation 13%. The body portion 3| may be provided with a flat A pair of laterally extending ears or wings 34 are provided flush with the flat undersurface of the body portion 3i. p A pair of rounded projections or bosses 35 are provided on the tapered body 25 over which the ears "34 extend. The wings 34 are apertured as indicated in Figure 1 to accommodate the sleeve 24 of the thumb nut 23. The bosses 35 are likewise provided with apertures 35 therethrough coaxial with the sleeve 24. A spring 3? is interposed between each ear 34 and the top of the tube 29 tending to urge the tube downwardly. Thus by tightening the thumb nut 23 upon the stud .22, the tube maybe raised in position, compressing the spring 31. Whenthe thumb nut 33 is loosened the spring lilurges the tube 29 The 7 chambers by means of a pair of parallel partition walls 50 and 4|. The partition walls 40 and 4| extend flush with the flat undersurface of the body portion 3| and rest upon the flat upper surface 21 of the body portion 25 on either side of the aperture 42 therein. A relatively narrow chamber 43 is provided between the partition Wall 48] and the adjacent side of the body portion 3|, while a similar narrow chamber id is provided between the partition wall 4| and the opposite side of the body por tion 3|. A central chamber is provided between the partition walls t9 and 4|, this central chamber being in communication with the slots |3 and |3. Aligned apertures it and 41 are provided through the sides of the casing portion 3! so that the chambers 43 and M are at all times in communication with the surrounding atmosphere.

The casing portion 3| downwardly sloping projection 49 between the partition walls 48 and 4| to restrict the height of the chamber 45 near the rear vertical wall 50 of the casing portion 3|. Thus a rectangularly shaped throat 5| is provided through which air may flow from either of the grooves It or [6, as will be later described.

A rectangular notch 52 is provided in the rear wall 53 of the casing portion 26 and oppositely disposed inwardly extending flanges 54 extend inwardly in opposed relation flush with the rear wall 53. A channel is thus provided for supporting a rectangular block 55 which is held in place by the flanges 54. A fixed block 56 closes the lower end of the slide thus formed, the bloclr 53 being secured in place by any suitable means such as the'screws or bolts 51. The rectangular block 55 is provided with a central aperture 59 therethrough to accommodate the reduced diameter end 68 of the air outlet tube 6|. Afianged sealing ring 62 encircles the reduced diameter end 60 of the (outlet pipe 6| to hold this outlet pipe connected to the block 55. The sealing ring 62 allows: the outlet pipe end 60 to rotate within the apertured block 55. A skirt or flange G3 on the outlet pipe engages the rear wall 53 of the casing portion 25 to form a seal thereagainst;

the undersurface of the block 55 to urge the block upwardly. When in its upper position the end iii) of the outlet pipe 6| completely registers with a circular aperture 65 through the casing an upwardly projecting partition 66 which termi'.

nates at its extremity in a semi-circular. groove Ell having its axis transversely of the casing por-.--

is provided with a Springs 6d are re-Y cessed into the fixed block 56 and engage against tion-3 The semi-circular groove sl 'is of proper internal diameter to fit snugly about the valvev sleeve 69 which is rotatably supported by the partition walls 49 and 4| These partition walls are provided with aligned apertures 68' and 19 through which the ends of the valve sleeve 69. ex-. tend. A valve panel H is integral with the sleeve 69 and extends radially therefrom. The end of the panel H is oppositely tapered as indicated at 72 to fit against the projection 49 inone extreme position illustrated in Figure 4, and to fit snugly against the upper surface of the casing ortion. 25 in its other extreme position illustrated in Figure 6. In other words, the valve panel'wl-l is engageable with either the upper wall or the lower wall of the throat As the valve anel ll extends the full width of. the chamber 45 be tween the partition walls 40and 4| and as the projecting partition 66 also extends the fullwidth of the chamber 45, the valve panel 1 selectively connects either the groove 3 or the groove IS with the throat 5|.

A series of openings 1.3 are provided through each of the partition walls 40 and 4| just below the valve panel H in raised position of this panel. As a result, air may be drawn into the chamber 45 through the partition walls 40and 4:|, creating a stream of air just below the valve panel 1| when it is in engagement with the projection 49'. A second series of openings 14. are provided through the partition walls. 4.9 and 4| just above the level of the valve panel H in lowered position of the valve. lhe valve sleeve 59. is rotatably supported upon a, fixedsleeve 15: which provides, a support for the sleeve. 69 and reinforces the same.

A spring 83 is anchored to, the valve sleeve 69 at 84 and is anchored to the partition wall 40 at the bolt 82. Rotation of the sleeve 69 in a. counter-clockwise direction will place tension upon the spring 83 and the, spring 83 willtend to rotate the sleeve 69v ina clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 12.

A cam 85 is mounted upon the valve sleeve-69 to rotate therewith. A ratchet 86 isrotatably supported upon the projecting end of the fixed sleeve 15. A flange Slis provided on the end of this fixed sleeve 15 to hold the ratchet wheel 86- in place. A ratchet 89, is pivotally supported at ill! to the partition wall 4|. Thisratchet-isproe vided with a laterally extending end 91- which is of sufficient width to engage both the ratchet. wheel 86 and the cam 85. A spring 92 urges the ratchet 89 against these rotative. elements 85 and 86.

A lever arm 93 is pivotally supported at 94 to the partition wall 4|. One end of the lever 93. is provided with a rounded extremity-95o; designed to engage in a notch 96a in thesqua-re block 55. Thu as the block 55 reciprocates vertically the lever arm 93. will be oscillated about its pivot 94.

A dog or pawl 95 is pivotally connected at: 96;- to the free-end of lever arm 93 and is-urged in-onerotative direction by a spr n connecting; the

pawl 95 with the lever arm 93. The. pawl 95- is provided with a laterally extending end 99 which is of sufficient width to engage both thecam 85 and ratchet wheel 86. Thus uponoscillation of the lever arm 93 either the cam 85, the. ratchet wheel 86, or both of these elements can; be, r0;- tated.

The manner in which the various elements of the head are connected together is believed un:-. derstood from the foregoing; description. The

casing portion 3. t.is connected.to: the portlon ii by means of screws or bolts I00 The sealing ring Elmay be press fit onto. the. end 60. of the outlet pipe 6| to hold the outlet pipe assembled to the reciprocableblock 55. The outlet pipe 6| is usually bent at. ||l|- to incline upwardly and is. designed for attachment to a hollow handle or conduit connected to a suitable source of supply-- 6 Downward pressure upon this outlet 6 I; tends.

to slide the block 5.5 downwardly, compressing the springs 64'. This action moves the lever arm 93 from the position shown in Figure 10 of; the. drawings to the position shown in. Figure 11 thereof. As the lever arm 9-3 begins its oscillation, the end 99 of the dog or pawl 95. is in en gagement with a shoulder I 02 on the, cam 85. Oscillation of the lever arm 93 acts, to rotate the.

cam in a clockwise direction, thus swinging, the valve panel 1| toward theglower wall of thethroat; 5|. When the pawl 95. has traveled through a predetermined angular distance the. pawl 95 engages the ratchet; wheel 86,, rotating; this ratchet wheel until a tooth thereof is in porsition for engagement withthe pawl 95 when; the; lever arm 93 returns to the position shown, in

Figure 10. In other words, with reference. to. Figure 11 of the drawings it will be seen that thepawl 95 has. advancedthe. tooth 98 of the ratchet wheel 86 a distance suffi cient so that this tooth 93 will be engaged by the pawl 95 upon return of the lever arm 93- tothe position shown in Figure 10 of the drawings.

When the handle or outlet pipe 6|v is. in. its

lowermost position as indicated in. Figure 1-1 of the-drawings, the valve panel 11- is in contact with the lower surface of thev throat: 5| Furthermore, it will be noted that the ratchet 8.9

is in engagement witha shoulder H12- of. the. Thus as downward pressure on; the.

cam 85. outlet tube 6|= is. removed thesprings E4; slide the block 55, upwardly into the position shown in Figure 10.- The valve sleeve 6-9 is prevented;

from returning to the position shown inFigure 10: by the ratchet 89 and its engagement with the cam 85.

Thus it will be seen that the valve; panel 1| will remain in the position shown in Figure- 6 of the drawings until means are provided to release the cam shoulder Hi2 from the, ratchet 99;.1 To eifect this result downward pressure is again exerted upon the handle forming; acontinuation. of the outlet tube-B This action again moves; the block 55- downw-ardly compressing the springs E4. The lever arm 93is;.again-- reciprocated in a clockwise direction. This. time, however,. the pawl 95 is; in engagement with the tooth 9B. of the ratchet wheel. 86-. Rotation of the; ratchet. wheel: 86 about its center causes a. tooth thereof; to. engage the end of the ratchet 89:. This end. wot-the ratchet is gradually pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction, about; itsg'pivot' until the end. of the ratchet is disengaged: from. the shoulder l-O'Z of the; cam 85-.- Assoon as thecami 85 isdisengaged from the. ratchet; it is immedie ately in position to be returned to its original starting position indicated in Figure with a shoulder ill: of the cam engaging the pawl 95. The disengagement of the cam 85 causes the opposite shoulder to strike this ratchet 95, and downward movement of the handle may be terminated. Thus the spring 83 returns the valve panel ll into engagement with the upper side of the throat 52.

The manner in which air is introduced into the head A during the time the position of the valve is being changed is an important feature of the operation of my device. As indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings-when the valve panel 1! is raised, air may enter through the holes 13 and 75, causing cross currents of air which clean the dust and dirt from the walls of the chamber 45. Air through the holes 13 keeps the bottom of the valve panel ii clean and blows the dirt from the upper surface as the panel moves downwardly. Air through the openings l4 blows dust off first the lower side and then the upper side of this panel ii as it approaches its other extreme position.

In the formation of my suction head I prefer to make the nose portion of plastic, hard rubber, or the like. A notch N33 is provided extending transversely across the lower edge of the front of the suction head, and a strip Hi l which is generally rectangular in section is secured therein. The slot i3 is formed through this strip we, as well as through the body portion id. The front edge H of the strip let forwardly of the passage 53 is raised above the level of the remainder of the bottom of the head. Laterally spaced notches Hill are provided in this strip edge ll. Apertures lii'l extend angularly through the forward wall of the passage l3, terminating just above the lower end of the portion I55.

Passages i558 extend downwardly through the base portion of the head, extending through the strip I8 3. Three of these passages are provided on each side of the body. Each passage i 39 terminates between the outer casing wall and the adjacent partition All or ii. The passages I89 terminate at their lower ends along the rear margin of the slot E3 at the lower end thereof.

Air is drawn inwardly through the spaced notches i iii and the alternate passages H11, causing cross currents of air tending to lift surface dust, hair, the like into the passage 13. This action is assisted by air entering through te passages its and tending to lift the rear ends of particles of material over which the head travels. As a result the head is extremely enicient in removing surface particles from the rug being cleaned.

Passages lid from each end of the recess it to the space between the casing wall and the partitions 4i: and 55. These passages equalize air pressure in the recesses i9 and prevent the operation of the tubular member 29 from being affected by partial vacuum in this recess.

A manually operable valve ii! is provided in the casing portion 35 leading to the passage [3. From time to time it is found that the vacuum is so powerful as to draw light rugs against the undersurface of the head with sufficient pressure to make the head difiioult to move. The force of vacuum may be reduced by manipulation of the valve ill. The valve ill is rotatable about pivot H2. Openings H3 therein are registerable with openings 1 it in the body 3|. Air may thus enter the passage is to lessen the force of vacuum at the mouth of this passage or slot.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my vacuum cleaner head, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A vacuum cleaner head including a body having a nozzle inlet and an outlet, partition means dividing said inlet into two spaced inlets of different sizes, a valve adjacent said partition to selectively connect either of said two inlets to said outlet, means for holding said valve in either selected position, a handle connected to said outlet, vertically reciprcoable means connecting said handle to said body, and means connecting said vertically reciprocable means to said valve to actuate the same.

2. A vacuum cleaner including a pair of spaced inlets of different sizes and an outlet, a flap valve for selectively connecting either of said inlets to said outlet, said valve being movable between two extreme positions, oscillatable means associated with said valve for operating said valve in one direction, means for holding said valve in said one direction, spring means for moving said valve in the other direction, releasable means for releasing said valve holding means and reciprocable handle means for actuating said oscillatable means.

3. A vacuum cleaner including a body having a pair of spaced inlets of diiierent sizes and an outlet, a valve selectively connecting either of said inlets to said outlet, said valve being pivotally movable between two extreme positions, pivotal lever means for pivoting said valve to one extreme position, a handle for actuating said ever means, spring means urging said valve toward its other extreme position, latch means for holding said valve in said one extreme position, and means actuated by said lever means for releasing said latch means.

4. A vacuum cleaner including a body having a pair of spaced inlets of different sizes and an outlet, a valve movable between two extreme positions to selectively connect either of said inlets to said outlet, lever means pivotally movable in one direction for pivoting said valve to one extreme position, a handle secured to said body and engageable with said lever means to operate the same, spring means for urging said valve in the other extreme position, latch means for holding said valve in said one extreme position, and means operable by movement of said lever in said one direction to release said latch means.

5. A vacuum cleaner head including a body having a pair of inlets of different sizes and an outlet, a valve movable between two extreme positions for selectively connecting either of said inlets to said outlet, means for holding said valve in either extreme position, a reciprocable block having an aperture therethrough in communication with said outlet, a tubular handle supported by said block, means normally urging said block in one extreme position, and lever means between said bloci: and said valve for actuating said valve upon reciprocation of said block.

6. A vacuum cleaner head including a body having a' pair of spaced inlets and an outlet, a valve selectively connecting either of said inlets to said outlet, a slot in the under surface of said body forming one of said inlets, spaced grooves in the lower surface of said body leading into said slot and inclined passages through said body into said slot from the outer atmosphere, said inclined passages being on both sides of said slot. 7. A vacuum cleaner head including a body having a pair of inlets of different sizes and an outlet connected thereto, a valve having substantially parallel flat surfaces and being swingably movable between two extreme positions to selectively connect either of said inlets to said outlet, an air passage leading from the atmosphere through said head at a point spaced from the base thereof, said passage being located to direct air across first one surface of said valve and then the other as the valve swings, said air passage being adjacent to an edge of said valve to direct a cross flow of air against the same.

THOMAS WELLINGTON OTT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 946,344 Gaudin Jan. 11, 1910 Number Number Name Date Hubbard Dec. 16, 1913 Marshall Aug. 4, 1914 Carlstedt Dec. 1'7, 1929 Fuhrmann June 17, 1930 Cranmer Oct. 21, 1930 Engberg May 31, 1932 McCar-dle Feb. 4, 1936 Barrner Sept. 27, 1938 Eriksson-Jons Jan. 3, 1939 Cotner Jan. 6, 1942 Ott Feb. 24, 1942 Smellie May 16, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Nov. 17, 1927 Germany July 22, 1933 

